India: Row erupts after school students enrolled as BJP members in Gujarat, probe ordered

A major row has erupted in the Indian western state of Gujarat, the stronghold of the national ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), after it was revealed that school students have been enrolled as party members in a membership campaign.

The membership scandal has emerged in the Surendranagar district, and the state’s education department has now launched a probe into the matter. Earlier, the authorities issued a notice to the school management.

Worrying reports

Earlier this week, some media reports claimed, citing messages from the WhatsApp group of KU M R Gardi Vidyalaya school, that students from class 9 and above were made members of the BJP and given cards under a membership campaign.

The students were enrolled as BJP members through the phones of their parents. There are allegations that the students were then handed national flags and were photographed before being registered as party members.

Mukesh Nimavat, the school’s principal, defended himself saying the exercise was done to download a government educational app on the phones.

BJP smells conspiracy

Meanwhile, the BJP said it was an action to defame the party, citing rules that bar registration of members below the age of 18.

Surendranagar BJP district president Hitendrasinh Chauhan said, “Legal action will be taken against everyone behind this. I am investigating who is involved… As per primary investigation that we have conducted, it was revealed that no party member, taluka president, village sarpanch, or worker had gone to the school for the membership drive.”

BJP leader K CPatel also said that party membership can only be registered at the booth level and denied any involvement in the incident. He said the OTP for membership can’t be generated as technology prohibits itfor minor users.

Surendranagar district education officer (DEO) A M Ojha said a class 2 official had been appointed to investigate the case.

“Through media report only we learnt that some school management or teaching faculty member had asked students to bring their mobile phones and a registration of a political party was conducted. Immediately, we took action and appointed a Class 2 official for an inquiry into the case. A notice has been issued to the school management,” said the Ojha.

(With inputs from agencies)